Using Virtual Reality to induce positive affect and explore the impact on wellbeing and anhedonia.
Campus Plus is pleased to announce the commencement of an Australian Government Department of Education National Industry PhD project that brings together the University of Adelaide‘s School of Psychology and medical tech innovator Brain Vector.
This project explores cutting-edge applications of virtual reality (VR) to address difficult to treat symptoms, such as anhedonia; the inability to experience pleasure, which is one of the most debilitating features of depression.
Under the supervision of Professor Elaine Fox, Dr. Ancret Szpak at the University of Adelaide and Dr. Dr. Stephane Verhaeghe MD at Brain Vector, Elliot Howard will investigate how personalised VR experiences and immersive positive affect induction can improve mental wellbeing.
Elliot states: “I’m particularly interested in the integration of cognitive bias modification (CBM) and AI-enhanced emotional profiling to develop accessible, scalable, and engaging mental health interventions. I am passionate about researching technologies and approaches that make effective mental health support more accessible and engaging, and I am so excited and grateful to have been granted the opportunity to do this with the support of the Australian Government Department of Education and Brain Vector.
By combining cognitive and positive psychology with emerging VR technologies, Elliot’s work aims to create timely, non-pharmaceutical tools to support those living with anxiety, depression, and related internalising disorders.
A big thank you to Mark Neuendorf and Clementine Hill for facilitating this project!